Power Elevating Headstocks & Tailstocks
2.5 ton through 80 ton capacity
The Powered Elevation design makes maximum use of commercially available components, both in the elevation and rotation systems.
Elevation is done by means of commercial ball screw jacks for high duty cycle operation and driven by a worm/wormgear arrangement. The elevation axis uses two of these screw jacks for redundancy coupling them together, and then they are driven by a common motor. Belts, chains, and transfer gears are no longer utilized in the design.
Guidance is provided by means of wide, large diameter cam follower bearings on flat guide-ways. Cam follower contact with the guide-ways is adjustable for wear. Guidance is provided on the front, back, and sides of two columns that rigidly support the cantilevered load.
Headstock and Tailstock axes on Koike Aronson Ransome systems are electronically synchronized to prevent workpiece / fixture skewing. Both axes are driven by an encoded motor which is controlled by a drive with internal PLC capabilities. Encoder information from both axes is fed to the Tailstock drive. The Tailstock encoder provides closed-loop position information to the Tailstock drive, which, in turn, follows the reference signal from the Headstock encoder. The Headstock drive and motor respond to commands from the operator control pendant (or optionally a supervisory programmable control system). When the Headstock moves, the Tailstock automatically follows, step-for-step, based upon encoder feedback. If any errors are detected internally or from external devices by either drive, the system will immediately halt to prevent workpiece/fixture skewing.
Power Elevating Headstock and Tailstock Features
- Low efficiency gear-boxes for safety
- Ball screw jacks for high duty cycles
- Machined tables
- Low voltage hand control pendants
- 50:1 AC Variable speed drives
- Boots on elevation jacks protect screws from debris
